Penetrating intracranial gunshot wound transecting the right transverse sinus

BMJ Case Rep. 2012 Sep 17:2012:bcr2012006679. doi: 10.1136/bcr-2012-006679.

Abstract

A 23-year-old man sustained a gunshot wound to the posterior head. Imaging demonstrated a transection of the right transverse sinus, a retained bullet fragment and significant cerebellar oedema. The patient emergently underwent suboccipital decompression associated with brisk bleeding from the transverse sinus. Reported examples of surgical management of cerebral venous sinuses include: packing, grafting, patching and ligation. Our patient had a codominant transverse sinus and underwent successful unilateral ligation. His postoperative course was uneventful, however, he did require a ventriculoperitoneal shunt. He was subsequently discharged to rehab with a favourable outcome.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Decompressive Craniectomy / methods
  • Humans
  • Ligation / methods
  • Male
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed
  • Transverse Sinuses / diagnostic imaging
  • Transverse Sinuses / injuries*
  • Transverse Sinuses / surgery
  • Ventriculoperitoneal Shunt
  • Wounds, Gunshot / diagnostic imaging
  • Wounds, Gunshot / pathology*
  • Wounds, Gunshot / surgery
  • Young Adult